Notebook: Lions say they still have something to prove; Suh's bad feeling

The Lions might not be preparing for a playoff-clinching game this week, like they were at this point last year, but there’s still plenty to play for these last two games.

The Lions might not be preparing for a playoff-clinching game this week, like they were at this point last year, but there’s still plenty to play for these last two games.

“No matter what, you’ve got everything to prove,” Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. “We’ve got a great opportunity on Monday Night Football, Saturday Night Football in this case, and you’re going against one of the best teams in the League right now, 12-2 Atlanta.

“You have an opportunity to take somebody down. I’m not a guy that will ever lay down even though we did come off a considerably not-so-good loss. But you have a great opportunity in front of you to make the most of it and try and come out a winner.”

Saturday's game is on national television, but more than that, there’s something to be said about gaining a bit of momentum and confidence to end a tough season.

“I mean, pride and really you just always want to have something positive going into the next season,” Suh said.

“I mean, I’m not saying we’re going to look ahead because we still have two important games in my opinion. We’re going to definitely see Chicago twice next year. We’re going to see possibly Atlanta (hopefully) next year in the playoffs or some situation like that.”

For Lions head coach Jim Schwartz, these last two games are a chance for players to reveal their true character.

“I’ve heard it said that football doesn’t build character, it reveals character,” he said. “I think you could say that would be the case.”

SUH'S BAD FEELINGSuh said he couldn't shake a bad feeling he had heading into last week’s game against the Cardinals because of the way they lost, 58-0, the week before to Seattle.

“I mean, I just had a little niche that they’re going to come out with some fire power,” he said. “Any professional, especially being embarrassed 58-0, is going to come out with some fight no matter what.

“Being a professional and being somebody in this league and having fight, you understand that no matter what may happen to you, good, bad, indifferent, you’ve got to continue to fight. Especially when you’re down, you’ve got to be able to fight yourself out of that hole.”

The Lions simply didn't match the Cardinals intensity last week.

Will the Lions have the same resolve the Cardinals showed vs. Atlanta Saturday?

NO PETTIGREW OR FAIRLEY UPDATESSchwartz gave no update on the injury status of tight end Brandon Pettigrew (ankle) or defensive tackle Nick Fairley (shoulder).

“Both of those guys are working the rehab and if we can get them back we will,” Schwartz said. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”